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IT MAY HAVE had to settle for a draw yesterday but there’s one area where Kilkenny is the clear winner.

The city has beaten 848 other entries to be crowned Ireland’s tidiest town for 2014 at a ceremony in Dublin. It is the first time in almost three decades that Kilkenny has won the overall prize, having last picked up the trophy in 1985.

(And before you ask the obvious question: yes, a city can win the tidiest town, apparently).

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Alan Kelly handed out the awards at The Helix in Dublin City University this afternoon with hundreds of people from Tidy Towns groups from around the country in attendance.

“This is a fantastic achievement for Kilkenny; a really worthy winner,” said Minister Kelly.

The winners included:

• Ireland’s tidiest village: Clonegal, Carlow
• Ireland’s tidiest small town: Kilrush, Clare
  
• Ireland’s tidiest large town: Westport, Mayo
• Ireland’s tidiest large urban centre: Kilkenny City
• Overall winner: Kilkenny City

It is the fourth year in a row that more than 800 towns and villages have taken part in the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition, which has been running for 56 years. The competition is organised by the Department of the Environment.

Minister Kelly praised the enthusiasm of the people involved in the groups around the country, saying their efforts could be seen in “the attractive, well cared-for towns and villages we see throughout the country”.

“It is clear that working together and getting things done increases peoples’ pride in where they live and helps to build vibrant communities”.

Read: Dublin, Cork and Limerick are the dirtiest cities in Ireland > 

Read: Kilkenny bridge controversy due back before court on Wednesday  >